Imperial Palace, Ning Shou Palace, inside the hall.
Qi Shuwan looked at Qi Bei Han and said, “Have you read the latest report from the Northern Frontier? What does it say?”
Qi Bei Han stated bluntly, “A battle with Yan Country is inevitable. Yan Country has long coveted the fertile Songjiang region in Tianquan’s Northern Frontier and seeks to advance southward to dominate the Central Plains. Although the spies we planted in Yan Country have betrayed us and have all been dealt with, Yan Country’s intentions are clear.”
“The current deployment of troops in the Northern Frontier is nearly double what it was before. Of the eight generals under the Feng family’s command, two are stationed in the Southern Frontier with Feng Lingyu, the eldest legitimate son of the Feng family and the current Grand General of the Military. The remaining six are divided, with three in the Western Border and three in the Northern Frontier. According to the military reports submitted by the Feng family, all arrangements are in place.”
“Even so, there is still one variable in Yan Country at the moment.”
Qi Shuwan pondered and said, “Yan Country’s unique wolf cavalry—the mutated bloodthirsty Nether Wolves.”
“Over the past year, the situation in the Southern Frontier has largely stabilized. I have sent him an urgent message over eight hundred li, transferring him to the Northern Frontier. With him there, deploying troops, arranging defenses, and engaging in battle will be foolproof.”
“The Emperor is still young. With you considering all matters, I… your elder sister can truly rest assured.”
“This is what I ought to do.”
Qi Shuwan nodded to Qi Bei Han, then changed the subject, saying, “By the way, I heard she has set off to attend that Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet. Judging by your demeanor, you don’t seem worried at all.”
“Isn’t the Empress Dowager the same as I am, believing that a mere banquet hosted by some noble ladies is something she can handle with ease?” Qi Bei Han replied truthfully.
“My lack of worry is different from yours. After all, someone once said that he and she are fated. Moreover, do you think that, having been away from the capital for so long and only just returned, why would those people want to invite her to the banquet? And this Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet was organized by that girl Jun Yao…”
Qi Bei Han raised his eyes, meeting his sister’s gaze directly, and said firmly, “Once the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet is over, I will go to the Prince of Jin’s residence to pick her up and escort her back to the Grand General’s residence. As for others, there has been no involvement in the past, and there will be none in the future.”
Qi Shuwan said softly, “Naturally, how can others compare to a fated one? Speaking of which, regarding this matter…”
“Fate!” Qi Bei Han said solemnly, “The marriage alliance will not change, and as for the relationship between her and me, I will manage it myself.”
Upon hearing the word “fate,” Qi Shuwan knew her brother was unwilling to say more on the matter. “Very well, I will not inquire further. The imperial decree and the marriage alliance are for the sake of state affairs. Now, while considering the overall situation, it also aligns with your fate, allowing you to find the one you desire. Whether it is Mother or I, we are both happy for you.”
“The Emperor is still practicing in the ice chamber. Today, I need to assess his progress, so I must go now.”
“Very well, you may go.”
“I take my leave.”
After Qi Bei Han left, Qi Shuwan picked up a cup of tea nearby and took a sip. Lan Ruo, standing at her side, noticed something and said, “Empress Dowager, set your mind at ease. Everything will be fine.”
Qi Shuwan glanced at Lan Ruo and smiled, “Yes, he is so clever. Everything will be fine!”
…
Meanwhile, at the main gate of the Prince of Jin’s residence.
Qian Zhu helped her young lady down from the carriage.
Feng Jin Yue observed the entrance of the Prince of Jin’s residence, where carriages from various families were neatly parked, with only coachmen waiting there. Clearly, all the expected guests had arrived—it was just that she had come late.
At that moment, a maidservant from the Jin Prince Manor came forward. Recognizing the Feng family carriage and seeing the woman before her—whose beauty was ethereal and aura transcendent—her heart skipped a beat. Could this be Feng Jin Yue, the legitimate daughter of the Feng family? If so, when she appeared in the Chrysanthemum Garden later, perhaps…
Snapping back to reality, the maidservant curtsied to Feng Jin Yue and said, “You must be the young lady of the Feng family. This humble servant pays her respects.”
Qian Zhu promptly handed the banquet invitation to the maidservant.
Though inwardly uneasy, the maidservant spoke without hesitation, “Young Lady Feng, all the other young ladies invited to today’s Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet have already gathered in the Chrysanthemum Garden. Please follow this servant into the manor.”
Feng Jin Yue followed the guiding maidservant into the Jin Prince Manor’s Chrysanthemum Garden.
After Feng Jin Yue entered the manor, the attendants from various families gathered outside and began whispering among themselves.
“That’s the Feng family’s legitimate daughter? Wasn’t it said she’s frail and sickly, weakened by chronic illness?”
“That’s just what everyone spread. Looking at her now, she appears perfectly healthy.”
Someone interjected bluntly, “Haven’t you heard? Three days ago, the Empress Dowager summoned her to the palace. That very day, word spread that everyone who saw this Feng young lady praised her beauty. We all witnessed it just now—she looks like a fairy from a painting.”
Another responded, “Of course I heard, but without seeing it myself, I remained somewhat skeptical. Thinking carefully, it makes sense. She is the Feng family’s legitimate daughter after all. Even if she was frail since childhood, years of careful nurturing would surely bring improvement. The Feng family simply couldn’t be bothered to address the rumors. Moreover, if she were truly as wretched as described, why would the Empress Dowager insist on selecting her as the Regent Consort candidate?”
“But her years of convalescence are undeniable. What do you think will happen inside later…”
Before the speaker could finish, another interrupted, “Mind your words. This is the Jin Prince Manor—think before you speak. Don’t make baseless speculations.”
For a moment, they ceased their reckless discussions, but everyone understood clearly: with this Feng young lady’s attendance at today’s Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet, all others would pale in comparison.
Inside the Jin Prince Manor, Feng Jin Yue followed the guiding maidservant through layered courtyards and winding corridors. After what felt like a long while, faint laughter could be heard in the distance.
Soon, they reached the entrance to the Chrysanthemum Garden.
The guiding maidservant said, “Young Lady Feng, we’ve arrived at the Chrysanthemum Garden. You may enter directly. All the young ladies invited by our Princess are inside.”
“Very well.” As she responded, Feng Jin Yue entered the Chrysanthemum Garden with Qian Zhu.
It must be said that the chrysanthemums cultivated in the Jin Prince Manor’s garden were exceptional. Rare varieties seldom seen elsewhere were mostly present here, particularly that pot of ‘Phoenix Spreading Wings’ and those several pots of green chrysanthemums…
While Feng Jin Yue was admiring the flowers, a shrill voice came from the viewing pavilion nearby, “Who are you? Don’t you know this is Princess Changle’s Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet? Who gave you permission to enter?”
Qian Zhu immediately spoke up from the side, “My young lady is the legitimate daughter of the Feng family. She is here today by Princess Changle’s personal invitation to attend the banquet.”
At these words, all eyes in the pavilion turned toward them.
Someone muttered, “So that’s Feng Jin Yue? Her attire is far too plain. Is this how shabbily the Feng family’s legitimate daughter dresses?”
Feng Jinyue noticed the many gazes focused on her and turned around, directly facing the crowd in the viewing pavilion.
Originally, the young ladies from various families in the pavilion were vying for attention like a garden of blooming flowers. Yet the moment they clearly saw the true appearance of the person before them, in that single instant, Feng Jinyue standing there made them all pale in comparison.